After the 18-month-long trial, conducted by presiding judge Vladimir Pavlekovic, Tudjman was acquitted of the charges that she had received some 1.7 million kuna as kickbacks from her business partner Knezevic, for whom she allegedly arranged business deals such as the installation of switchboards in a dozen faculties, some institutes and public institutions.
The indictment was partly based on statements by Knezevic who was indicted for tax evasion and unlawful appointment as the main expert for invitation of bids for switchboard installation at the Science Ministry in 1996. He was allegedly appointed to the post at Nevenka Tudjman's request.
The representative of USKOK (the Office for the Prevention of Corruption and Organised Crime), Marinka Orlic, said she would appeal the ruling in the Tudjman case.
(1EUR =7.5 kuna)